The life and times of Carmi Hicks was destined to be a lackluster read until a venture into an archive of old newspapers suddenly revealed a man of versatility and achievements. The story of his connection to Lionism has heretofore been untold.
While much of Carmi’s accounts were obtained from copies of the local newspaper, the ‘Evansville (IN) Courier and Press’, it should be pointed out that he was formerly a circulation solicitor for the same newspaper in 1914. At some point by the same year or before, Carmi became acquainted with Dr. W.P. Woods who had founded the ‘Royal Order of Lions’ in 1911. The doctor was not only successful in getting Carmi to join the Royal Order, but in an election of officers, Carmi was elected president of Den #1 and Dr. Woods became the chaplain. Dr. Woods, however, being the founder of this Order, had always held the title of ‘Supreme President.’
By 1916, Carmi Hicks was a prominent insurance agent for two different companies and his office was right across the hall from Dr. Woods’ Royal Order office. One October 24, 1916, Dr. Woods made his historic move by applying his signature to the Articles of Incorporation of his newly formed organization, the ‘International Association of Lions Clubs,’ but it was necessary to have two other signatures to incorporate. Carmi across the hall and his personal secretary, C.R. Cronen, completed the task. By the next day, October 25, the Articles were duly filed and recorded with the Secretary of State of Indiana in Indianapolis. While Dr. Woods had hoped it would become “international” at some point, no one could have imagined at that time the IALC, today commonly known as ‘Lions Clubs International’, would become the largest service organization in the world. Carmi Hicks was to be entitled as ‘Secretary-Treasurer.’
By 1917, however, World War 1 engulfed all of Europe in the conflict, and on April 6, America declared war on Germany. With a call to arms by the War Department, young men flocked to join the fight. Carmi Hicks was one of them, and he was no stranger to military service. During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Carmi was a private.
But getting into the service proved to be a real challenge. Carmi, along with a friend, Jay Shafer, were rejected as unqualified when the first officers training camp at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, was opened. Being rejected yet once more, persistence set in for both and they simply forced their way into camp. Hicks caught the attention of the major in charge, and made a believer of him. Carmi immediately took the oath, but it was two days later when Jay was successful. In no time, Carmi was made a corporal and commanded other recruits. The success of both men was a determination not to fall since they bought “one way” train tickets, and there was no turning back. This journey almost did not happen, for in 1914, Carmi fell off his “wheel” while crossing a car track and was severely cut. Fortunately, the injury was not detrimental to his service. So for a couple of “rejects”, both Hicks and Shafer not only completed the grueling three monts drilling at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, they were the only two in the entire class to attain the highest honors of being commissioned as ‘captains”. All the others became lieutenants.
This commission happened just two months before the Lions Convention at Dallas (October 8-10, 1917) and it became certain that Capt. Carmi Hicks would not be in attendance. Being that he was still officially the Secretary-Treasurer of the Lions organization, he submitted his letter of resignation which was read before the delegates by Dr. Woods. Historical documents all show the letter in its entirety, but signed as “Samuel Hicks.” This was not so, and even Dr. Woods in his sworn affidavit of 1952 had no knowledge of “Samuel Hicks.” It was truthfully, “Carmi Hicks.”
It was at this Dallas Convention that Dr. Woods was elected the first President of the Lions Organization, having already been the president for the previous year from its founding in 1916. And this is where Melvin Jones got his start, being elected ‘Secretary-Treasurer.’ Many pieces of the puzzle were made to fit to allow Mr. Jones to be elected to this position:
- World War 1…being declared by the U.S. against Germany just months before the Convention. Without a war or a declaration well after the Convention, there would have been no need to have…
- Carmi Hicks resigned his position as Secretary-Treasurer. Nevertheless, even with a war and Carmi Hicks in the service …
- Dr. Woods could have prevented Melvin Jones from getting elected by nominating someone else. Fate was on the side of Melvin Jones.
The record reveals that Carmi Hicks was a major in the regular Army in 1918, and he stated that he would remain in the regular army and take it up as his life work. His commanding general earlier had said, “you have performed meritorious service at this camp (Wadsworth, S.C.) as a commander of a development battalion and proved yourself to be a capable and industrious officer.”
The last entry concerning Cami Hicks was in 1940 and he was still listed as a major in the army at a political rally in New Jersey. Carmi was noted as a personal friend of Wendell Willkie and was the principal speaker. The record reveals that Willkie got trounced by FDR in the election of 1940.
Side note: Back in 1918, a “Who’s Who” pictorial album of names of men from Evansville and Southern Indiana was being prepared to be placed in the Evansville Public Library. Both Dr. Woods and Carmi Hicks were among the recipients.